TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

Interviewed the world’s most successful TV doctor, Mehmet Oz, today.

And after taking my blood pressure, on
air, he declared that I was in ‘average condition’ for a man of my age –
but that this was nothing that couldn’t be improved by drinking more
red wine and full-fat milk, and having more sex.

Now I know why he’s so popular.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

Played my mobile phone messages back late tonight to hear a familiar voice.

‘Yes,’ interrupted Amanda, ‘and if
it’s not in the next five minutes, forget it, because pizza’s coming.
And, Mr Chins, you know how important pizza is!’

I think I’m going to have to get a block on my phone.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

Flew by helicopter to Camp Pendleton
in California, one of the largest U.S. Marine bases in the world, to
interview Jill Biden – the beautiful, and very smart, wife of the Vice
President, Joe Biden.

Their son, Beau, served in Iraq, and
she does a lot of work with Michelle Obama promoting an initiative
called Joining Forces that helps military families.

She perfectly described the kind of
help needed most.

I asked Jill Biden what had been the highlight of her tenure as Second Lady, and she cited the night Bin Laden was killed

‘It’s the simple things. My daughter-in-law was by
herself during a big snowstorm, and one of her neighbours just came by
and quietly shovelled all the snow away so she could get out of her
house.

'He never said a word, never went to the door; he just did it and
went back to his own house.’

Amusingly, halfway through the interview, a large plane flew overhead and interrupted filming.

‘Sorry, we’re going to have to wait for it to pass,’ I said.

We both looked up – to see Air Force Two.

‘That’s your husband landing,’ I laughed.

‘It is? How funny is that?!’

‘So I withdraw my apology, because actually the Vice President owes us both one!’

I asked her what had been the highlight of her tenure as Second Lady, and she cited the night Bin Laden was killed.

‘I knew something was up because Joe
had been at the White House for two days and barely come home, and he
couldn’t tell me what was happening.

‘And the kids were on the phone with me, saying, “Mum, what’s going on?” So we all knew something big was happening.

‘And then I saw the news on TV around
midnight, and I put my bathrobe on and went downstairs to greet Joe. And
I opened the door and all these people had gathered, and they were
singing God Bless America.’

‘What were Joe’s first words?’

‘Gosh, I don’t remember. I just ran out and hugged him and said, “Thank you”.’

When I asked her how she met her husband, she smiled.

‘He saw my picture somewhere and said,
“Oh, now that’s the kind of girl I’d like to date.” And I knew his
brother Frank.

'So Joe called and said, “This is Joe Biden; would you
like to go out?” And we went to the movies in Philadelphia.

‘I actually had another date that
night that I cancelled because I thought Joe would be interesting to go
out with. And I was really charmed by him.

'And at the door, he was… You
know how guys are usually trying to make their moves? And he didn’t. He
was a gentleman.

'He shook my hand. And I remember going upstairs and
calling my mother at 1am and I said, “Mum, I finally met a gentleman.”

‘Do you think the guy that you ditched that night has any idea you ditched him for the current Vice President?

She roared with laughter.

‘No, I don’t!’

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

Woke up feeling a little jaded today. Then I worked out why.

It’s January 21, and already this year
I’ve caught nine planes and two helicopters – criss-crossing America
between New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and South Carolina to interview
one ex-President, one current Second Lady and two Presidential
candidates, and cover three caucus/primary votes.

All very exciting, but rather tough on the old creaking torso.

My LA doctor smirked when I walked in today full of cold, with a sore throat, blocked sinuses and earache.

‘I’ve been watching the show every night, noting where you are, and expecting you!’

Meanwhile, my parents are currently on
their first ever trip to Los Angeles. So I took them to the
celebrities’ favourite shopping centre, The Grove, confidently expecting
to be fending off hordes of adoring fans.

Disturbingly, after a whole hour, not a
single person had come up to me. In fact, there hadn’t even been a
single ‘Are you famous?’ eye-flicker.